New info shows Trump could make trip to Cape Canaveral this week
It appears President Donald Trump could make a post-midterm elections trip to Kennedy Space Center this week, possibly as part of NASA's large-scale Max Power aerospace expo at Kennedy Space Center, according to a new advisory for pilots.
Max Power will feature a gathering of hundreds of VIP innovators, and an air show starring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. The high-tech event plans to showcase eVTOLS (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft), delivery drones, robots, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, the upper stage of a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket and NASA's X-59 supersonic research aircraft.
Flight restrictions of the level issued for presidential travel are expected from Nov. 6-8 for the airspace over Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a notice to pilots. The FAA notice indicates Trump may travel to Palm Beach on Friday, Nov. 6 after going to Cape Canaveral.
The "Initial VIP Movement Notification" did not mention Trump by name, but such notices have become reliable indicators of when and where a president plans to travel. The planned restrictions are subject to change at a moment's notice, federal officials have said.
This would mark Trump's fourth trip to Mar-a-Lago of the season, and his 31st since taking office in January 2025 for his second term as president.
Trump most recently visited Palm Beach from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1. While in Palm Beach, he attended Mar-a-Lago's annual Halloween bash, which this year had a jungle theme. The president — dressed in his usual dark blue suit, white shirt and red tie — joked to members of the press that his costume was "Donald Trump."
Trump and first lady Melania Trump in 2019 declared Mar-a-Lago and Palm Beach to be their permanent residence, according to county records.
The VIP-level temporary flight restrictions issued by the FAA for presidential travel include a set of rules for aviators to follow. Pilots who don't follow those rules could be penalized or even intercepted by fighter jets with the North American Aerospace Defense Command.
Includes reporting by FLORIDA TODAY Staff.
Kristina Webb is a reporter for Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Network-Florida. You can reach her at [email protected]. Subscribe today to support our journalism.